Leptin and Role in Metabolic Regulation

Leptin is a 16 kDa molecular weight peptide hormone, that released from adipocytes composed of 167 amino acids. The most important physiological effect of leptin is increased basal metabolism while suppressing food consumption according to the balance between its free and protein- bound forms. Moreover, it plays an important role in growth, development, reproduction, balance in body temperature, neuroendocrine signaling, and regulating insulin resistance as a signaling factor. It has also functions on gastrointestinal functions, immune system, endocrine system, osteogenesis, hematopoiesis and angiogenesis. It is known that circulating leptin level is higher in obese individuals than in weaker individuals. For this reason, occurred metabolic disorders as a result of imbalance of energy expenditure in humans indicates there is a relation between obesity and high leptin levels. Recent research reports show that stimulating factors, which are released from adipose tissue including leptin, adiponectin and omentin, play crucial roles on various metabolic processes and they have also functions on mechanisms increasing regulates energy balance and insulin sensitivity